Early work starts on major road upgrade east of Sydney airport

7 DECEMBER 2015

Roads and Maritime Services will this week start early work on a major road upgrade to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety on key airport feeder roads east of Sydney airport.

A Roads and Maritime Services spokesperson said the Sydney Airport East road upgrade project would be jointly funded with the Australian Government and included $6 million allocated in 2015-16 by the NSW to improve the movement of rail freight to and from Port Botany and improve traffic flow and access to the airport and the port.

“Comments were sought from the community and stakeholders in February and March this year on the Review of Environmental Factors for the project proposal to upgrade General Holmes Drive between Mill Pond Road and Botany Road, Wentworth Avenue, Joyce Drive and Mill Pond Road,” the spokesperson said.

“The project involves closing the General Holmes Drive rail level crossing and replacing it with a road underpass by extending Wentworth Avenue, and widening Joyce Drive and General Holmes Drive to three lanes in both directions. A shared path for pedestrians and cyclists will also be built on Wentworth Avenue.

“Roads and Maritime received 11 submissions and would like to thank everyone who took the time to consider the proposal and provide feedback.

“Following a review of the comments, which included traffic volumes, noise issues, cyclist facilities, early work including vegetation removal and demolition of properties already acquired by Roads and Maritime will start from Wednesday 9 December.

“These seven properties, including a church hall, are on the corner of Botany Road and Wentworth Avenue in Mascot and were all acquired by agreement.

“Early work will take about two months to complete and will be carried out on weekdays between 8am and 4.30pm and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays from Wednesday 9 December until early February excluding Sundays, weather permitting. No work will be carried out during the Christmas and New Year holiday period from Monday 21 December to Monday 4 January.

“Every effort will be made to minimise noise during this work and there are not expected to be any changes to traffic conditions as a result of this early work.”

The spokesperson said design for the project is being finalised ahead of tenders to be called in May next year and the start of major building work, expected to be around October next year.

For the latest traffic information, visit www.livetraffic.com download the Live Traffic App or call the Transport Management Centre on 132 701.